Soft point bonded nonwoven webs, and methods of making the same, are described that utilize a pattern of small, discrete bond points in a sequent pattern that together form macro-elements. The macro-elements are themselves positioned and aligned within a pattern such that mechanical stretching operations on the point bonded nonwoven webs yields soft and bulky fabrics but with reduced incidence of tearing or rupturing of the individual bond points.

Soft point bonded nonwoven webs, and methods of making the same, are described that utilize a pattern of small, discrete bond points in a sequent pattern that together form macro-elements. The macro-elements are themselves positioned and aligned within a pattern such that mechanical stretching operations on the point bonded nonwoven webs yields soft and bulky fabrics but with reduced incidence of tearing or rupturing of the individual bond points.

Self-crimped multi-component fibers (SMF) are provided that include (i) a first component comprising a first polymeric material, in which the first polymeric material comprises a first melt flow rate (MFR) that is less than 50 g/10 min; and (ii) a second component comprising a second polymeric material, in which the second component is different than the first component. The SMF includes one or more three-dimensional crimped portions. Also provided are nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of SMFs. Methods of manufacturing SMFs and nonwoven fabrics including SMFs are also provided.

Self-crimped multi-component fibers (SMF) are provided that include (i) a first component comprising a first polymeric material, in which the first polymeric material comprises a first melt flow rate (MFR) that is less than 50 g/10 min; and (ii) a second component comprising a second polymeric material, in which the second component is different than the first component. The SMF includes one or more three-dimensional crimped portions. Also provided are nonwoven fabrics comprising a plurality of SMFs. Methods of manufacturing SMFs and nonwoven fabrics including SMFs are also provided.

A spunbonded non-woven fabric includes a fiber including a propylene homopolymer having a melting point of 140° C. or more, a polyethylene having a density of from 0.941 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.970 g/cm.sup.3, and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a polymer represented in (I) and a polymer represented in (II). In the spunbonded non-woven fabric, the fiber includes a sea-island structure, and the percentage of an island phase having a diameter of from 0.12 μm to less than 0.63 μm with respect to an island phase in a cross section orthogonal to the axis direction of the fiber on a number basis is 30% or more. (I) represents a random copolymer of propylene and at least one selected from ethylene or an α-olefin having a carbon number of from 4 to 20. (II) represents a propylene homopolymer with a melting point of less than 120° C.

A spunbonded non-woven fabric includes a fiber including a propylene homopolymer having a melting point of 140° C. or more, a polyethylene having a density of from 0.941 g/cm.sup.3 to 0.970 g/cm.sup.3, and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a polymer represented in (I) and a polymer represented in (II). In the spunbonded non-woven fabric, the fiber includes a sea-island structure, and the percentage of an island phase having a diameter of from 0.12 μm to less than 0.63 μm with respect to an island phase in a cross section orthogonal to the axis direction of the fiber on a number basis is 30% or more. (I) represents a random copolymer of propylene and at least one selected from ethylene or an α-olefin having a carbon number of from 4 to 20. (II) represents a propylene homopolymer with a melting point of less than 120° C.

A nonwoven fabric structure for absorbent articles comprising a first layer, a second layer and superabsorbent particles, said first layer comprising endless filaments, —which comprise at least a first polymeric material (A) and a second polymeric material (B) having its melting point lower than the first polymeric material (A), —wherein the second polymeric material (B) extends in the longitudinal direction of the filament and forms at least a part of the surface of the filament and—the first layer contains filament-to-filament bonds formed of the second polymeric material (B), —void volume between the filaments of the first layer forms at least 65% of the volume of the first layer, the second layer comprising endless filaments, wherein the superabsorbent particles are arranged at least between the first layer and the second layer and within some of the voids of the first layer and/or the second layer.

A nonwoven fabric structure for absorbent articles comprising a first layer, a second layer and superabsorbent particles, said first layer comprising endless filaments, —which comprise at least a first polymeric material (A) and a second polymeric material (B) having its melting point lower than the first polymeric material (A), —wherein the second polymeric material (B) extends in the longitudinal direction of the filament and forms at least a part of the surface of the filament and—the first layer contains filament-to-filament bonds formed of the second polymeric material (B), —void volume between the filaments of the first layer forms at least 65% of the volume of the first layer, the second layer comprising endless filaments, wherein the superabsorbent particles are arranged at least between the first layer and the second layer and within some of the voids of the first layer and/or the second layer.

The invention relates to a membrane which contains crosslinked phosphonated pentafluorostyrene. The invention also relates to the use of a membrane or membrane electrodes containing crosslinked phosphonated pentafluorostyrene in an electrochemical cell at a temperature of 0 to 380° C. The invention also describes the use of a membrane or membrane electrodes containing non-crosslinked phosphonated pentafluorostyrene in an electrochemical cell at a temperature of 0 to 380° C. In addition, the invention discloses a nonwoven fabric containing phosphonated polypentafluorostyrene. The invention also relates to the use of the nonwoven fabric in a membrane or in a membrane electrode unit in electrochemical applications at temperatures up to 380° C.

The invention relates to a membrane which contains crosslinked phosphonated pentafluorostyrene. The invention also relates to the use of a membrane or membrane electrodes containing crosslinked phosphonated pentafluorostyrene in an electrochemical cell at a temperature of 0 to 380° C. The invention also describes the use of a membrane or membrane electrodes containing non-crosslinked phosphonated pentafluorostyrene in an electrochemical cell at a temperature of 0 to 380° C. In addition, the invention discloses a nonwoven fabric containing phosphonated polypentafluorostyrene. The invention also relates to the use of the nonwoven fabric in a membrane or in a membrane electrode unit in electrochemical applications at temperatures up to 380° C.